Tech hopes to keep their focus as season winds down to a close

The Sussex Tech baseball squad has put themselves in a very good position, posting a record of 10-2, as the end of the season approaches.

Mike Santa Barbara, Staff Writer

The Sussex Tech baseball squad has put themselves in a very good position, posting a record of 10-2, as the end of the season approaches.

In the middle of a dogfight called the Henlopen North, Tech has proven they’re one of the elite of the division. Currently, Tech is in 1st place, followed closely by Dover, Milford and Caesar Rodney.

Tech boasts an undefeated record against their Henlopen North counterparts, defeating all five they’ve faced. Manager GL Jefferson thinks Tech’s success against their conference and division will pay dividends down the stretch.

“It’s always nice to be good within your conference and division, especially this year,” said Jefferson. “The conference is so strong with Dover, Milford and CR. And, everyone knows the Henlopen North is one of the toughest divisions in the state.”

Jefferson said the teams goal from the start of the year was to take games one at a time and win the automatic bid into the State Tournament.

“We’ve focused all year on picking up that automatic bid,” said Jefferson. “Our one game at a time approach to the season has worked well, being successful in our conference was the goal from the start. You always want to beat your rivals, and the conference wins are so important.”

With the season winding down, it’s hard not to look ahead to the playoffs. In Tech’s case it may be even harder to stay focused down the stretch. Tech’s last five opponents are a combined 18-36, not exactly world-beaters.

However, Jefferson isn’t worried about his teams focus. He believes the teams theme this year of taking one game at a time will help them to stay on task these last five games.

“We tell the guys to go into games with confidence, not cockiness.” Said Jefferson. “We try not to buy into the hype, or whether we should or shouldn’t beat this or that team.”

“Earlier in the year we were undefeated playing a 2-2 Delmar team,” said Jefferson. “We came in a little over confident and we got beat, I think that taught us a good lesson. We’ve told the boys every game to beat the game of baseball. We focus on goals, win the errors battle, win the freebies battle by forcing walks and things like that. And I think the boys have really bought in.”